EP3339792B1

EP3339792B1 - Header for a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: EP3339792B1
Application number: EP16205249.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fredrik STRÖMER; Kristian Walter
Original assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Current assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2016-12-20
Publication date: 2020-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-20
Also published as: SI3559583T1; EP3559583B1; CA3043665A1; WO2018114237A1; JP2020502468A; KR102240574B1; DK3559583T3; US20190383565A1; DK3339792T3; CN110073166A; CA3043665C; KR20190098190A; EP3339792A1; JP6806908B2; CN110073166B; EP3559583A1; SI3339792T1; US11530883B2

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to a header for a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger body with a plurality of discrete channels for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels for a second fluid.
The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a central heat exchanger body with a plurality of discrete channels for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels for a second fluid, and a header.

Technical Background

When designing heat exchangers, there are a number of issues that typically need to be taken into account. It is typically desirable to have the surface areas of the walls between the two fluids to be as large as possible in order to maximize the thermal contact between the relatively hot and cold fluids. It is also typically desirable to minimize flow resistance or pressure losses or at least to avoid undue flow resistance or pressure losses. It is typically also desirable to keep the size of the heat exchangers as small as possible. It is typically also desirable to keep the weight, cost and/or amount of material used in the heat exchanges at a minimum. Sometimes the solution to one issue is also beneficial with respect to one or more other issues and sometimes the solutions are contradictory and the solutions to the respective issues need to be balanced.
US 7,285,153 B2 discloses an equipment for feeding two gases into and out of a multi-channel monolithic structure. In this equipment, the gases are separated at the outlet and inlet of the monolithic structure by a manifold formed of a plurality of upright standing lamellar plates. Each elongated volume between the lamellar plates is aligned with a line of channels in the monolithic structure. When using the monolithic structure in a line configuration, i.e. with the channels for the different gases extending alongside each other forming alternating lines, the manifold formed of the lamellar plates is connected directly to the monolithic structure. When using the monolithic structure in a checkered configuration, i.e. with the channels for the different gases extending alongside each other in a checkered pattern, there is a distributor plate provided between the manifold and the monolithic structure. The distributor plate has a hole pattern allowing the respective volume in the manifold to communicate with the intended set of channels.
US 8,196,647 B2 discloses an equipment for distribution of two fluids into and out of channels in a multi-channel monolithic structure where the channel openings are spread over an entire cross-sectional area of the monolithic structure. The equipment consists of a manifold head and one or more monolith structures. The manifold head is formed of a plurality of upright standing lamellar plates. Each elongated volume between the lamellar plates has a central portion where inlet/outlet is formed. Between the manifold of lamellar plates and the monolith structure, there is provided four plates each having different hole patterns. The hole patterns are formed of both circular holes and long holes. The hole patterns are intended to distribute the fluids from the manifold over the monolithic structure.
WO2013/163398A1 discloses a heat exchange tube produced by additive manufacturing for the production of augmented heat exchange features, such as external and internal lattice structure. However, this is related to maximizing heat dissipating surface area of a tube.
One advantage with using a great number of channels in a monolith structure as e.g. in US 7,285,153 B2 and US 8,196,647 B2 is that it is possible to use high pressurized fluids. Since the channels are so small, the pressure will due to the small areas of the channel walls only exert a limited force onto the channel walls, which in turn allows producing the walls using limited wall thickness. However, none of the prior art documents provide a solution concerning how to provide a transition from a piping system to a monolith structure without unacceptably high pressure losses. EP 2 009 380 A1 discloses a header for a heat exchanger according to the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a transition from a piping system to a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger body with a plurality of discrete channels for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels for a second fluid.
This object has been achieved by a header adapted to be connected to and form part of or being integrally formed as a part of a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a heat exchanger body with a plurality of discrete channels for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels for a second fluid, the header having:

a first end having a round configuration being adapted to be connected to a circular pipe and to form an inlet to, or an outlet from, the heat exchanger; and
a second end being adapted to be connected to or be integrally formed with the heat exchanger body and being provided with a plurality of discrete channels corresponding to the plurality of discrete channels for the first fluid in the heat exchanger body,
wherein the header is provided with a plurality of dividers dividing one or more internal channels of the circular pipe into the plurality of discrete channels at the second end,
wherein the dividers extend from the second end to or towards the first end, and
wherein at least some of the dividers extend from the second end to the first end and define a plurality of channel mouths at the first end, the channel mouths together forming the round configuration of the first end.

A channel is preferably considered to be a discrete channel if it is separate from neighboring channels in that there is no functional flow of fluid between the one discrete channel and another discrete channel.
With a header of this kind, a flow of a fluid flowing from the circular pipe will be transformed into a plurality of parallel flows dedicated for respective one of the discrete channels of the heat exchanger body, or vice versa, with a minimum of flow resistance. This is e.g. useful in, but not limited to, situations where a circular pipe is adapted to be connected to a heat exchanger in which the discrete channels are arranged as a rectangular grid of channels.
The dividers extend from the second end to or towards the first end. Some, but not necessarily all, dividers extend from the second end to the first end. Those dividers that extend to the first end define a plurality of channel mouths at the first end, the channel mouths together forming the round configuration of the first end.
Preferred embodiments appear in the dependent claims and in the description.
At least a sub-set of the dividers extend, in a cross-section across the channel mouths, along curved lines across the round configuration of the first end. This way it is possible to provide a great number of channel mouths and still having essentially the same cross-sectional area of respective channel mouth. By having essentially the same cross-sectional area of respective channel mouth, the flow will be divided into a plurality of essentially equal flows. This is typically beneficial when it comes to achieving a uniform pressure and heat exchange in a heat exchanger.
Any upstream channel, as seen in a main direction extending from the first end to the second end, may be uniquely connected to one or more downstream channels in the main direction.
This restriction is applicable both when it comes to cases where the dividers extend from the second end to the first end and to cases where some of the dividers extend to the first end and some dividers extend to one or more positions between the first and second ends. The unique connection is advantageous since it provides discrete channels at least at the second end.
The wording main direction is primarily to be understood as a label to a direction extending from the first end to the second end of the header. The main direction may be rectilinear, it may be formed of a plurality of mutually angled rectilinear portions or it may be curved. The main direction may in practice be considered a line along or counter which line the flow through the header is mainly directed.
The dividers may extend from the second end to the first end. This may be expressed as that all or at least essentially all the dividers extend from the second end to the first end. It may also be expressed as that at least 80%, preferably at least 90% and more preferably 100% of the dividers extend from the second end to the first end. This allows for a controlled division of the flow into discrete channels. It also allows for a compact design where the full length of the header may be used for changing the configuration from the round configuration at the first end to the desired configuration and the second end.
Each of the channel mouths formed at the first end may be uniquely associated with a discrete channel extending through the header. Thereby it is possible to uniquely control the flow of each channel by designing the shape and size of respective channel.
The discrete channels extending through the header may form the plurality of discrete channels at the second end of the header. Thereby there will be a secure and unique transfer of the flow through the respective channel from the header to the heat exchanger.
In one embodiment some dividers extend from the second end to the first end and some dividers extend from the second end to one or more positions between the second end and the first end. Thereby it is possible to, but not necessary to, design the header such that channels associated with the channel mouths at the first end are successively divided, as seen in the main direction extending from the first end to the second end, into a greater number of channels forming the plurality of discrete channels at the second end of the header. By having some dividers extending from the second end to the first end and some dividers extending from the second end to one or more positions between the second end and the first end, it is possible to allow the flow of fluid to even out differences in pressure or flow before being further divided into the discrete channels.
The plurality of channels at the second end of the header may be configured in a line configuration in that, in a cross-section across the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels is sub-divided into a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of channels arranged along a line extending along a first direction across the cross-section of the second end. By sub-dividing the channels into such a line configuration, it is possible to in a following transition portion change the line configuration to a checkered configuration inside the main body of the heat exchanger.
The adjacent lines may along a second direction, transverse to the first direction, be separated a distance adapted to provide space for an intertwining of the line configured plurality of channels for the first fluid with a line configured plurality of channels for the second fluid. These line configured plurality of channels of the second fluid is preferably line configured by another header. It may be noted that this other header may be a different physical part or may be integrally formed together with the first header. By having a distance between the adjacent lines at the second end, it is possible to provide a compact design where it is possible to begin intertwining of the two flows directly at the second end of the header.
The plurality of discrete channels may at the second end be provided in a grid having a rectangular configuration. Such a rectangular configuration may e.g. be adapted to be connected to a heat exchanger having a central heat exchanger body having a rectangular cross-section across the plurality of discrete channels. In such heat exchanger body, the plurality of discrete channels for the first fluid and the plurality of discrete channels for the second fluid may be arranged in a checkered pattern.
The one or more dividers may have longitudinal extensions along the main direction extending from the first end to the second end being at least two times a minimum cross-sectional dimension of respective one of the plurality of channels at the second end. This way there is sufficient length along the flow direction to allow the round configuration at the first end to be smoothly transformed to a desired configuration, such as a rectangular configuration, at the second end without any unnecessary pressure losses in the header due to the change in configuration.
The above object has also been achieved by a heat exchanger comprising

a central heat exchanger body with a plurality of discrete channels for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels for a second fluid, and
a header as generally described in the above and as described in detail in the detailed description.

The advantages associated with providing a heat exchanger with the header has been discussed above in connection with the description of the header as such and those advantages are equally applicable to the heat exchanger.
Preferred embodiments of the heat exchanger appear in the dependent claims and in the description. It may also be noted that the preferred embodiments of the header are also applicable as preferred embodiments of the heat exchanger.
The plurality of discrete channels for the first fluid and the plurality of discrete channels for the second fluid may in the central heat exchanger body be arranged in a checkered pattern as seen in a cross-section extending across the plurality of discrete channels in the central heat exchanger body. It may be noted that the checkered pattern may be a truly checkered trough-out the cross-section of the central heat exchanger body. The checkered pattern may also be checkered in the central portions and have along its perimeters a configuration slightly different from truly checkered. For instance, along one perimeter the pattern may be formed of first fluid channels alternating with blocked channel spaces and along the opposing perimeter the pattern may be formed of second fluid channels alternating with blocked channel spaces. A true checkered pattern has a theoretical possibility to provide a greater heat exchange between the fluids in the central heat exchanger body, but it requires more complex line configuration of the channels at the second end of the header, potentially giving rise to greater pressure losses in the header. A checkered pattern with two opposing perimeters being only formed of the first fluid channels and the second fluid channels, respectively, have a slightly lower theoretical heat exchange capability, but it is easier to design a header making full use of the cross-sectional area to provide the line configuration of the channels at the second end, potentially avoiding unnecessary pressure losses in the header.
The heat exchanger may further comprise a transition portion. The transition portion may have a first outer portion in connection with a header of the kind described above forming a first fluid header for the first fluid and a second outer portion in connection with a further header of the kind described above forming a second fluid header for the second fluid. The transition portion may further have an inner portion in connection with the central heat exchanger body. The first outer portion may be provided with a plurality of channels for the first fluid forming first fluid channels arranged in a line configuration. The second outer portion may be provided with a plurality of channels for the second fluid forming second fluid channels arranged in a line configuration. The inner portion may be provided with the first fluid channels and the second fluid channels arranged in a checkered pattern. As mentioned above, this checkered pattern may be a truly checkered pattern or a checkered pattern with two opposing perimeters being only formed of the first fluid channels and the second fluid channels, respectively
The transition portion may transform the line configuration of the first fluid channels by, between the first outer portion and the inner portion, gradually shifting every second first fluid channel in respective line relative to every other first fluid channel in respective line in a shift direction being transverse to the lines in the line configuration, and may transform the line configuration of the second fluid channels by, between the second outer portion and the inner portion, gradually shifting every second second fluid channel in respective line relative to every other second fluid channel in respective line in the shift direction, whereby said every second first fluid channels and said every second second fluid channels form lines across the shift direction alternating with lines formed of said every other first fluid channels and said every other second fluid channels. This way the line configuration at the interface between the header and the transition portion is transformed into a checkered pattern.
The transition portion may be integrally formed with the header and/or with the central body, preferably integrally formed with the header, and more preferably integrally formed with both the header and the central body. In one embodiment the transition portion is integrally formed with two headers. In one embodiment the transition portion is integrally formed with one header and the other header is separately manufactured and subsequently connected to the transition portion. In one embodiment the central heat exchanger body is integrally formed with one of the transition portions and the other transition portion is separately manufactured and subsequently connected to the central heat exchanger body. Each of the two transition portions may independently be of any of the kinds mentioned above being separate from the headers, being separate from one of the headers or being integrally formed with both headers. In one embodiment the central heat exchanger body is integrally formed with both transition portions. Each of the two transition portions may independently be of any of the kinds mentioned above being separate from the headers, being separate from one of the headers or being integrally formed with both headers. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger comprises a central heat exchanger body, two transition portions, one at either end of the central heat exchanger body, and four headers, at respective outer portions of the transition portions, integrally formed into a single body.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view of a heat exchanger.
Figure 2 is another side view of the heat exchanger of figure 1.
Figure 3 is an end view of the heat exchanger of figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of a header.
Figure 5 is an end view of the header as seen along line A-A in figure 4.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the header as seen along line B-B in figure 4.
Figure 7 is an end view of the header as seen along line C-C in figure 4.
Figure 8 is an end view of a header showing its round configuration at one end thereof.
Figure 9 shows schematically the other end of the header of figure 8.
Figure 10 shows schematically the end of figure 9 also indicating the position of channels from another header.
Figure 11 shows schematically a cross-section along line XI-XI in figure 2 disclosing a checkered pattern formed from the configuration of channels of a header of figures 8 and 9.
Figure 12 is an end view of a header showing its round configuration at one end thereof.
Figure 13 shows schematically the other end of the header of figure 12.
Figure 14 shows schematically the end of figure 13 also indicating the position of channels from another header.
Figure 15 shows schematically a cross-section along line XI-XI in figure 2 disclosing a checkered pattern formed from the configuration of channels of a header of figures 12 and 13.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Figures 1-3 discloses a heat exchanger 1 comprising a central heat exchanger body 10, two transition portions 20a-b, one at either end of the central heat exchanger body 10, and four headers 30a-d, at respective outer portions of the transition portions. In the disclosed embodiment, the central heat exchanger body 10, the two transition portions 20a-b and the four headers 30a-d are integrally formed into a single body. In figure 1, a flow direction F₁ for a first fluid and a flow direction F₂ for a second fluid are indicated. The first fluid enters into the heat exchanger via the header 30b, through the transition portion 20a to the central heat exchanger body 10 from which it leaves through the transition portion 20b and out via header 30d. The second fluid enters into the heat exchanger via the header 30c, through the transition portion 20b to the central heat exchanger body 10 from which it leaves through the transition portion 20a and out via header 30a. Typically the flows of fluid are counter each other in the central heat exchanger body 10 as shown in figure 1. However, it is also conceivable that the flows of fluid are along the same direction in the central heat exchanger body 10. In figures 1-3, the first fluid flows along the straight line at both ends of the heat exchanger and the second fluid changes direction (90° in the figures) at both ends of the heat exchanger. It is also conceivable that the second fluid flows along a straight line at one of the ends and that the first fluid changes direction at that end of the heat exchanger. There are numerous other conceivable configurations and orientations of the headers relative to the central heat exchanger body. In one embodiment both headers 30a and 30b form an angle, such as 45°, relative to the flow direction F₁ in the central heat exchanger body. The headers 30c and 30d may in such a case preferably also form corresponding angles, such as 45°.
The headers 30a-d will be described in more detail with reference to figures 4-7 and will be collectively referred to as a header 30. The header 30 is adapted to be connected to and form part of or being integrally formed as a part of a heat exchanger 1. As will be explained in more detail below, the heat exchanger 1 has a heat exchanger body 10 with a plurality of discrete channels for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels for a second fluid.
As shown in figures 4 and 5, the header 30 has a first end 31 having a round configuration. The first end 31 is adapted to be connected to a circular pipe and to form an inlet to, or an outlet from, the heat exchanger 1. As shown in figures 4 and 7, the header 30 has a second end 32. The second end 32 is adapted to be connected to or be integrally formed with the heat exchanger body 10. As shown in figure 7, the second end 32 is provided with a plurality of discrete channels B_ij corresponding to the plurality of discrete channels for the first fluid in the heat exchanger body 10. The plurality of discrete channels B_ij are at the second end 32 provided in a grid having a rectangular configuration.
As shown in figure 5, the header 30 is provided with a plurality of dividers 33 dividing the internal channel (or channels) of the circular pipe into the plurality of discrete channels B_ij at the second end. The dividers 33 may also be referred to as internal walls. It may be noted that the dividers 33 or walls form a lattice or web across the first end 31 of the header 30. As is indicated in figure 4 and as becomes apparent from the cross-section B-B in figure 6, all the dividers 33 extend from the second end 32 to the first end 31. However, it may be noted that in a general concept the dividers 33 need not extend all the way to the first end 31. It is sufficient that the dividers 33 extend from the second end 32 towards the first end 31. However, to make the most use of the length of the header 30, at least some of the dividers 33 extend from the second end to the first end 31 and define a plurality of channel mouths A_ij at the first end 31. In figure 5 one of the channel mouths A_ij is indicated by a shading of the area of the channel mouth. As shown in figure 5, the channel mouths A_ij together form the round configuration of the first end 31. In the disclosed embodiment, the dividers 33 or walls 33 are tight walls not allowing any fluid to flow from one channel associated with a first channel mouth A_ij to any channel associated with any other channel mouth A_ij. Thereby the header 30 is capable of dividing the flow into discrete channels. As indicated in figures 4 and 7, the dividers 33 have longitudinal extensions L along the main direction MD being at least two times a minimum cross-sectional dimension w of respective one of the plurality of channels B_ij at the second end 32.
As shown in figure 5, at least a sub-set of the dividers 33 extend, in a cross-section across the channel mouths (figure 5), along curved lines (indicated by the dashed line 36) across the round configuration of the first end 31.
As shown in figures 4-7, any upstream channel, as seen in a main direction MD extending from the first end 31 to the second end 32 is uniquely connected to one downstream channel in the main direction MD. This may also be expressed as that each of the channel mouths A_ij formed at the first end is uniquely associated with a discrete channel B_ij extending through the header.
This restriction would, when it comes to cases where some of the dividers extend to the first end and some dividers extend to one or more positions between the first and second ends, read that any upstream channel, as seen in a main direction MD extending from the first end 31 to the second end 32 is uniquely connected to one or more downstream channels in the main direction MD. In this case, some or all of the channels of respective one of the channel mouths A_ij are destined to be divided, in one or more further steps, into the plurality of channels B_ij at the second end 32. Thus, the number of channels B_ij at the second end 32 of the header may be larger than the number of channel mouths A_ij at the first end 31. The main direction does not necessarily coincide with the direction of the fluid flow through the header, since the fluid flow through the header may either be in the direction of the main direction or in the opposite direction of the main direction. The main direction is a way of defining relative locations. An upstream channel is located closer to the first end 31 than a downstream channel and a downstream channel is located closer to the second end 32 than an upstream channel.
As shown in figure 7, the plurality of channels B_ij at the second end 32 of the header 30 are configured in a line configuration. The line configuration may be defined as that, in a cross-section (figure 7) across the plurality of channels B_ij, the plurality of channels is sub-divided into a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of channels B_1j, B_2j, etc, arranged along a line extending along a first direction D₁ across the cross-section of the second end 32. By sub-dividing the channels B_ij into such a line configuration, it is prepared for in a following transition portion 20 changing the line configuration to a checkered configuration inside the central heat exchanger body 10 of the heat exchanger 1.
In figures 8-11, a transformation from a round configuration of channels for single fluid to a checkered configuration for two fluids is schematically disclosed. The header 30 has a first end 31 provided with a plurality of channel mouths A_ij separated by a plurality of dividers 33. Each such channel mouth Aij is uniquely associated with a channel Aij at the second end 32. A₁₁ is associated with B₁₁; A₂₁ is associated with B₂₁, etc.
As shown in figure 9, the adjacent lines, such as B_1j and B_2j, are separated a distance d as measured in the second direction D₂, transverse to the first direction D₁. As indicated in figure 10, this distance d is adapted to provide space for an intertwining of the line configured plurality of channels B_ij for the first fluid with a line configured plurality of channels C_ij for the second fluid.
The plurality of discrete channels B_ij for the first fluid and the plurality of discrete channels C_ij for the second fluid is in the central heat exchanger body 10 arranged in a checkered pattern as seen in a cross-section (figure 11 and figure 15) extending across the plurality of discrete channels in the central heat exchanger body. It may be noted that the checkered pattern may be a truly checkered trough-out the cross-section of the central heat exchanger body (as shown in figure 15). The checkered pattern may also be checkered in the central portions and have along its perimeters a configuration slightly different from truly checkered. For instance, along one perimeter the pattern may be formed of first fluid channels alternating with blocked channel spaces and along the opposing perimeter the pattern may be formed of second fluid channels alternating with blocked channel spaces (as shown in figure 11).
It should be noted that the number of channels is in practice often significantly greater than the number of channels indicated in the figures. In some aspects, the channels may have a square cross-section with the sides of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. In some aspects, the wall thickness between the channels may be about 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm.
As mentioned above, the heat exchanger 1 further comprises transition portions 20a-b collectively denoted 20. The transition portion 20 has a first outer portion 22 in connection with a header 30 of the kind described above forming a first fluid header for the first fluid and a second outer portion 23 in connection with a further header 30 of the kind described above forming a second fluid header for the second fluid. The transition portion has an inner portion 21 in connection with the central heat exchanger body 10. The first outer portion 22 is provided with a plurality of channels for the first fluid forming first fluid channels arranged in a line configuration. The second outer portion 23 is provided with a plurality of channels for the second fluid forming second fluid channels arranged in a line configuration. The inner portion 21 is provided with the first fluid channels and the second fluid channels arranged in a checkered pattern. As mentioned above, this checkered pattern may be a truly checkered pattern or a checkered pattern with two opposing perimeters being only formed of the first fluid channels and the second fluid channels, respectively.
The transition portion is configured to transform the line configuration of the first fluid channels B_ij by, between the first outer portion and the inner portion, gradually shifting every second first fluid channel in respective line relative to every other first fluid channel in respective line in a shift direction D₂ being transverse to the lines in the line configuration, and to transform the line configuration of the second fluid channels Cij by, between the second outer portion and the inner portion, gradually shifting every second second fluid channel in respective line relative to every other second fluid channel in respective line in the shift direction D₂.
This shift is illustrated in figure 10 to figure 11 and in figure 14 to figure 15.
As can be seen in figures 11 and 15, this results in a pattern where every second first fluid channels B_ij and said every second second fluid channels C_ij form lines across the shift direction D₂ alternating along the shift direction D₂ with lines across the shift direction D₂ formed of said every other first fluid channels and said every other second fluid channels. This way the line configuration at the interface between the header and the transition portion is transformed into a checkered pattern.
It may be noted that the header 30 may at its first end 31 have a configuration of the mouths A_ij of the channels A_ij having the configuration shown in figure 12, where every second one of the areas 35 are blocked in two opposing perimeter lines. This is a suitable preparation to achieve the configuration shown in figure 13 at the second end 32 of the header. This is in turn a configuration which is suitable as a preparation to achieve the true checkered pattern shown in figure 15.
Alternatively, the header 30 may have all the potential mouths A_ij open as shown in figure 8. This is a suitable preparation to achieve the configuration shown in figure 9 at the second end 32 of the header. This is in turn a configuration which is suitable as a preparation to achieve the checkered pattern shown in figure 11.
The headers 30 may be formed by additive depositing of a material, such as a metallic material, preferably chosen from the group consisting of titanium or titanium based alloys, tantalum or tantalum based alloys, steel or steel based alloys, stainless steel or stainless steel based alloys. The material may be laser or electron sintered during the additive depositing of the metallic material, or sintered in an oven after the additive depositing.
The transition portions 20 may be formed by additive depositing of a material, such as a metallic material, preferably chosen from the group consisting of titanium or titanium based alloys, tantalum or tantalum based alloys, steel or steel based alloys, stainless steel or stainless steel based alloys.
The central heat exchanger body 10 may be formed by additive depositing of a material, such as a metallic material, preferably chosen from the group consisting of titanium or titanium based alloys, tantalum or tantalum based alloys, steel or steel based alloys, stainless steel or stainless steel based alloys. The material may be laser or electron sintered during the additive depositing of the metallic material, or sintered in an oven after the additive depositing.
Preferably the headers 30 and the transition portions 20 are integrally formed by additive depositing of a material, such as a metallic material, preferably chosen from the group consisting of titanium or titanium based alloys, tantalum or tantalum based alloys, steel or steel based alloys, stainless steel or stainless steel based alloys.
Preferably the central heat exchanger body 10, the transition portions 20 and the headers 30 are integrally formed by additive depositing of a material, such as a metallic material, preferably chosen from the group consisting of titanium or titanium based alloys, tantalum or tantalum based alloys, steel or steel based alloys, stainless steel or stainless steel based alloys.
The material may be laser or electron sintered during the additive depositing of the metallic material, or sintered in an oven after the additive depositing.
It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The channels may for instance have other cross-sectional shapes than the rectangular and quadratic shapes shown in the drawings. The first fluid channels may e.g. have a circular shape and the second fluid channels may have a shape as a four sided polygon with inwardly bulging sides to fit in the area formed at the intersection of four neighboring circular first fluid channels. Other shapes, such as ovals, triangles, etc, are also conceivable.

Claims

Header (30) adapted to be connected to and form part of or being integrally formed as a part of a heat exchanger (1), the heat exchanger (1) having a heat exchanger body (10) with a plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels (C_ij) for a second fluid, the header (30) having:
a first end (31) having a round configuration being adapted to be connected to a circular pipe and to form an inlet to, or an outlet from, the heat exchanger (1); and

a second end (32) being adapted to be connected to or be integrally formed with the heat exchanger body (10) and being provided with a plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) corresponding to the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) for the first fluid in the heat exchanger body (10),

characterized in that the header (30) is provided with a plurality of dividers (33) dividing one or more internal channels of the circular pipe into the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) at the second end (32),

wherein the dividers (33) extend from the second end (32) to or towards the first end (31),

wherein at least some of the dividers (33) extend from the second end (32) to the first end (31) and define a plurality of channel mouths (A_ij) at the first end (31), the channel mouths (A_ij) together forming the round configuration of the first end (31),
and,

wherein at least a sub-set of the dividers extend, in a cross-section across the channel mouths (A_ij), along curved lines (36) across the round configuration of the first end (31).
Header according to claim 1, wherein any upstream channel (A_ij), as seen in a main direction (MD) extending from the first end (31) to the second end (32), is uniquely connected to one or more downstream channels (B_ij) in the main direction (MD).
Header according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the dividers (33) extend from the second end (32) to the first end (31), wherein each of the channel mouths (A_ij) formed at the first end (31) is preferably uniquely associated with a discrete channel (A_ij) extending through the header, wherein the discrete channels (A_ij) extending through the header (31) form the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) at the second end (32) of the header (30).
Header according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein some dividers (33) extend from the second end (32) to the first end (31) and some dividers (33) extend from the second end (32) to one or more positions between the second end (32) and the first end (31), wherein channels (A_ij) associated with the channel mouths (A_ij) at the first end (31) are preferably successively divided, as seen in the main direction (MD) extending from the first end (31) to the second end (32), into a greater number of channels (B_ij) forming the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) at the second end (32) of the header (30).
Header according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the plurality of channels (B_ij) at the second end (32) of the header (30) are configured in a line configuration in that, in a cross-section across the plurality of channels (B_ij), the plurality of channels (B_ij) is sub-divided into a plurality of groups, each group including a plurality of channels (B_ij) arranged along a line extending along a first direction (D₁) across the cross-section of the second end (32).
Header according to claim 5, wherein adjacent lines are along a second direction (D₂), transverse to the first direction (D₁), separated a distance (d) adapted to provide space for an intertwining of the line configured plurality of channels (B_ij) for the first fluid with a line configured plurality of channels (C_ij) for the second fluid.
Header according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) at the second end (32) are provided in a grid having a rectangular configuration.
Header according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the one or more dividers (33) have longitudinal extensions (L) along a main direction (MD) extending from the first end (31) to the second end (32) being at least two times a minimum cross-sectional dimension (w) of respective one of the plurality of channels (B_ij) at the second end (32).
Heat exchanger (1) comprising
a central heat exchanger body (10) with a plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) for a first fluid and a plurality of discrete channels (C_ij) for a second fluid, and
a header (30) according to any one of claims 1-8.
Heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij) for the first fluid and the plurality of discrete channels (C_ij) for the second fluid are in the central heat exchanger body (10) arranged in a checkered pattern as seen in a cross-section extending across the plurality of discrete channels (B_ij, C_ij) in the central heat exchanger body (10).
Heat exchanger according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising
a transition portion (20a) having
a first outer portion (22a) in connection with the header (30b) forming a first fluid header for the first fluid,
a second outer portion (23a) in connection with a further header (30a) according to any one of claims 1-8 forming a second fluid header for the second fluid, and
an inner portion (21a) in connection with the central heat exchanger body (10);
the first outer portion (22a) being provided with a plurality of channels (B_ij) for the first fluid forming first fluid channels arranged in a line configuration,
the second outer portion (23a) being provided with a plurality of channels (C_ij) for the second fluid forming second fluid channels arranged in a line configuration,
the inner portion (21a) being provided with the first fluid channels (B_ij) and the second fluid channels (C_ij) arranged in a checkered pattern.
Heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein the transition portion (20)
transforms the line configuration of the first fluid channels (B_ij) by, between the first outer portion (22a) and the inner portion (21), gradually shifting every second first fluid channel (B_ij) in respective line relative to every other first fluid channel in respective line in a shift direction (D₂) being transverse to the lines in the line configuration, and
transforms the line configuration of the second fluid channels (C_ij) by, between the second outer portion (23a) and the inner portion (21), gradually shifting every second second fluid channel (C_ij) in respective line relative to every other second fluid channel in respective line in the shift direction (D₂),
whereby said every second first fluid channels and said every second second fluid channels form lines across the shift direction (D₂) alternating with lines formed of said every other first fluid channels and said every other second fluid channels.
Heat exchanger according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the transition portion (20) is integrally formed with the header and/or with the central heat exchanger body (10), preferably integrally formed with the header (30), and more preferably integrally formed with both the header (30) and the central heat exchanger body (10).
Heat exchanger according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the heat exchanger comprises
a central heat exchanger body (10),
two transition portions (20a, 20b), one at either end of the central heat exchanger body (10), and
four headers (30a-d), at respective outer portions (22, 23) of the transition portions (20a-b),
integrally formed into a single body.